Knights Santiago

Originally guards for Christian pilgrims in Spain, the Knights of Santiago are a fighting order organised along semi-monastic lines. They are reliable, excellent heavy cavalry, able to break many enemies when they charge, and are without the impetuous folly often shown by secular western knights

Type

Mounted Knight

Weapon

Lance

Charge

8

Shield

Large

Defense

5

Horse Armour

Barded

Morale

8

Faction

Spain, Aragon

Armour value

7 – Half Plate

Cost

875

March Speed

9

Unit Size

40

Run Speed

20

Region Discount

Leon

Charge Speed

22

Period

All

The tech chart describes these as heavy cavalry. In order to build these you require a chapter house, which is a level two building. The only problem I have found is that you cant actually build this unit. It only appears to be available as a crusading unit. Hopefully the patch will put this right.

BACKGROUND
Santiago (St.James) the patron saint of Spain and the first christian martyr, is buried in Santiago de Compostella at the northwest tip of the Iberian peninsula.
The Apostle James was beheaded in Jerusalem in 42 A.D and legend has it that the remains were transported by his disciples to be buried here.
Stories of the discovery of the Apostle’s tomb in the 9th century brought pilgrims from around Europe, and the “Camino de Santiago” road/path/way to Santiago- soon became the most important Christian pilgrimage of the middle ages.
The Knights of Santiago were formed at first to protect the pilgrims who traveled to Compostela, then later became the Court of King Philip of Spain.